KUALA LUMPUR – There will be no curfews or military coup, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a televised address this morning, following an announcement that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to an emergency proclamation to contain Covid-19.
“This emergency is not a military coup. The civilian government will continue to function, and a curfew will not be in force.
“The federal and state government machinery will not be disrupted with this announcement.”
He reiterated what Istana Negara said in its statement on the formation of an independent committee, comprising both government and opposition MPs, as well as health and other experts.
Parliament and state assemblies will not convene during the emergency period, he said.
“The general election, state elections and by-elections will not be held.
“The elections will be held once the independent committee decides that the pandemic has subsided, or the country has recovered from it.”
Muhyiddin urged all politicians to stand in solidarity with the people in the fight against the coronavirus.
“Malaysians are urged to remain calm, and give their trust to the government to handle the pandemic effectively.
“Police and the armed forces will be empowered to enforce public health ordinances.”
To businesses, he said: “Malaysia is open for business. In facing these challenging times, this period of emergency will give us much-needed calm and stability.”
He assured that economic activities will continue to function during the emergency, subject to standard operating procedures.
“Bursa Malaysia and the Securities Commission will continue to play their roles as market facilitators.
“Stern action will be taken against those who try to disrupt government business in handling Covid-19 and managing the national economy.”
Muhyiddin referred to the case of Stephen Kalong Ningkan v Malaysian Government, where the Privy Council, in its judgment, said: “An emergency to be within that article (Article 150(1) of the federal constitution) must not only be grave, but such as to threaten the security or the economic life of the Federation or any part of it; the natural meaning of the word itself is capable of covering a very wide range of situations and occurrences, including such diverse events as famines, earthquakes, floods, epidemics, and the collapse of the civil government.”
Seeing the threat of the coronavirus pandemic to people’s lives and the economy, said the prime minister, an emergency proclamation can be made by the Agong.
“Aside from the rise in Covid-19 cases, Johor, Pahang and Kelantan are facing massive floods.
“As I explained when announcing the movement control order yesterday, Covid-19 cases are on the rise and not showing signs of subsiding in the near future.
“Hence, the government needs to have certain powers to ensure the pandemic is effectively handled and the healthcare system will not be paralysed.”
He said several emergency ordinances can be invoked in relation to the use of private hospital assets, human resources, specialities, facilities, test laboratories and utilities.
The emergency order will be in effect until August 1, or earlier if infections are effectively controlled and lowered, said the Istana Negara statement. – The Vibes, January 12, 2021
